The new ferry for the crossing between the mainland and Olkhon Island, which was to be launched this year, will most likely never enter service. The reason is lack of funds for its maintenance, although 31 million rubles were allocated in the 2009 budget, the money has still not been transferred, and the auction to choose the carrier has not yet been held. Meanwhile, the vessel, built in less than a year for 130 million rubles, was supposed to significantly increase passenger traffic and carry up to 13 thousand people per navigation.
The new ferry, which was supposed to operate between the mainland and Olkhon Island starting this year, will most likely not be put into service. The main reason is the lack of funds for maintaining the vessel.Despite the fact that 31 million has been allocated in the 2009 budget for this purpose, the money has still not been transferred. In addition, the auction at which the carrier was to be selected has still not been held. And by May 15, the official start date of navigation, this is unlikely to happen. It had previously been assumed that both the old and new ferries would operate simultaneously in the Olkhonskiye Vorota Strait. Moreover, at the end of summer, the old one was planned to be sent for repairs. As Teleinform reports, the new vessel was built in less than a year. 130 million rubles were spent on its construction from the federal budget. It is assumed that during the navigation season, the ferry will be able to carry twice as many passengers as its predecessor. That is, about 13,000 people.